in touch and keen, ridden and stayed on from 3 out
in rear, headway after 5th, jumped right and bad mistake 3 out, weakened
towards rear, some headway 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden to chase leaders 6th, ran on after last
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, awkward 3rd, weakend 3 out
led and clear 2nd, headed 4th, weakened 6th
mid-division and hit 1st., headway 6th to chase leaders, every chance when mistake 2 out, not recover
led and keen, headed 2nd, led again 4th, headed and weakened quickly after 3 out
towards rear, some headway 6th
mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, edged left approaching last, kept on
Grand Bay is taken to make a winning debut over hurdles at the expense of Cutthroat, Carte Sauvage and Dubai Dreams. Nothing catches the eye of those to have been out so far, and it could well be that Grand Bay will be ready first time. Jonjo O'Neill's French import was last seen when third on the Flat at Saint-Cloud in April, and that was on heavy ground, but he may well be a cut above average, and if the market speaks in his favour as well, we should take the hint. Cutthroat has not looked one to follow so far, and was well behind when his saddle slipped at Bangor so he is best watched. Carte Sauvage has shaped as though a longer trip on a flat track is what he needs, and does not make as much appeal as Dubai Dreams who gave a good account at Worcester in August. An all-weather winner on the Flat in January, he can give the selection Grand Bay most to do.
Bythehokey (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, kept on one paced from 3 out, 7th of 17, 37l behind Havetoavit (11-7) at Tralee 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Carte Sauvage (USA) 7-1 (10-12) Chased winner, bumped 4th, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gf.
Cutthroat 13-2 (10-9) Behind when slipped up at the 4th in race won by Prairie Sun (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs, 15 ran.
Dubai Dreams 20-1 (10-13) Led to 5th, ridden to lead again 2 out, hit and headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Giust In Temp (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Green Iceni 9-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 13, 25l behind Green Tango (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan '04.
Mr Lehman 8-1 (12-0) 3rd of 12, 6l behind Jemannette (11-9) at Trebudannon 3m ptp sft in Apr.
Sunday City (JPN) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, went second approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Dr Cerullo (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Grand Bay (USA) (8-5) 3rd of 18, 1l behind Ma Bonne Etoile (8-4) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f hcp hvy in Apr (Flat).
